The Well
The Well |
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Connecting Hope to the Hurting | |
Wednesday
May 14, 2008
So David got away and went to Ramah to see Samuel, and he told him all that
Saul had done to him. Then Samuel took David with him to live at Naioth. When
the report reached Saul that David was at Naioth in Ramah, he sent troops to
capture him. But when they arrived and saw Samuel and the other prophets
prophesying, the Spirit of God came upon Saul's men, and they also began to
prophesy. When Saul heard what had happened, he sent other troops, but they,
too, prophesied! The same thing happened a third time! Finally, Saul himself
went to Ramah and arrived at the great wall in Secu. "Where are Samuel and
David?" he demanded.
"They are at Naioth in Ramah," someone told him. But on
the way to Naioth the Spirit of God came upon Saul, and he, too, began to
prophesy! He tore off his clothes and lay on the ground all day and all night,
prophesying in the presence of Samuel.
The people who were watching
exclaimed, "What? Is Saul a prophet, too?"
1 Samuel 19:18-24
The scriptures describe Saul being "tormented" by a spirit from God. How Saul responded to that "tormenting" spirit shows that it did not lead him to godly sorrow or conviction; quite the contrary. Instead of letting this spirit move him to repentance and change, and letting his own selfish desires be crucified, he tried to kill David. However, David had a friend, the king's son ¾ Jonathan ¾ who warned him of his dad's desire to kill him.
Once David knew the truth and that it wasn't just his imagination that King Saul was trying to kill him, David went to his mentor, Samuel. Recognizing David's dilemma, Samuel offered him a "safe place" to rest from the enemies' attacks. I guess this is one of those occasions when David wrote about God making even his enemies to be a peace with him, because the spirit of God subdued even his enemies!
Like David, we need a mentor, a spiritual advisor, who will walk with us through our days of confusion and turmoil. We need a safe place to turn when our enemies are coming against us. In this place of safety we can get our deepest thoughts of confusion and doubt out into the open without feeling the slightest trace of condemnation.
Since most of us believe that a spoken word has power, we hesitate to confess our frustrations because we know Satan can use them against us. However, when we come together with a fellow believer who is in agreement with us in other matters, we can ask God to protect even our conversations from the enemy. I know. I see it happen all the time.
One of the most beautiful things about today's scripture is King Saul's demonstration of submission to God by prophesying and being prostrate in God's presence. Yes, like him, we too can have moments of total submission and still get up and walk away from God's will. Following God's will and walking in His plan for our life is a choice. I guess our bottom line choice is "obey or sway"? What will you do?
Father, I praise You for Your Spirit that leads us to repentance. Please Lord, help us hunger to forgive our enemies and even ourselves so that we can walk in the ability to prophesy and stay on the right path You have for us. Give us a word for someone today that will encourage them in their relationship with You. May You receive honor and glory!
